Helen Buckman Family Subsystem

Helen Buckman Family Subsystem

Capella University

Lorraine Airall

March 13, 2013

Abstract

The family structure is composed of people who share the same history and influence on both the nuclear family as well as intergenerational as they move through the life cycle. Researcher state that in this family structure “boundaries shift, psychological distance among members change, and roles within and between subsystems are constantly being redefined” (Norris & Tindale, 1994; Cicirelli, 1995; Tindale, 1999; Meinhold, 2006; McKay & Caverly, 2004; Connidis, 2001, 2008). This paper seeks to analyze the present crisis of one of the family’s subsystems (the Helen Buckman bi-nuclear family) in the movie “Parenthood” that were transmitted from a prior generation. In addition, two therapeutic models will be compared and applied to the family’s dilemma. After analyzing the family system and comparing both models the Bowen Family treatment plan will be used to treat the dysfunctional patterns in this system. Finally, the article will convey a personal reflection of why the plan was chosen for the family.

Analysis of Genogram of Helen Buckman’s family

The genogram of Helen Buckman’s family highlight the dynamics of the relational patterns, the intergeneration themes as the family moves through their life cycle. Helen is the oldest daughter of Frank and Marilyn Buckman children. She is a divorced bank manager, who is struggling with the fact that her ex-husband (Edward Lampkin) is unresponsive to the needs of their children and refuses to help her raise their children. The household include Helen (the mother), Julie (her daughter), Garry (her son), Todd Higgins (her daughter’s boyfriend/husband), and George Bowman (Helen new husband). Being in the middle adulthood she is finding herself reexamining her life and trying to adjust to the stressful situations that have occurred in her family. She is also finding that this is “the last opportunity for active, hands-on parenting” (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto, 2011, p. 40). Helen is dealing with one male child that is in his pubescence stage in which they are “normally ambivalent, rebellious, bored, uninterested, or difficult (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto, 2011, p. 38). In addition, a female child that is in her adolescence stage in which she is very emotional, sexual, and learning to relate to her intimate partner.

Garry (Helen’s son) is a 13 year old introvert who is going through pubescence stage in which “major bodily, emotional, sexual, and spiritual changes” are occurring (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto, 2011, p. 38). Not being able to reach out to his biological father and finding it hard to communicate these confusing feelings to his mother it becomes a problem; instead, he chose to becomes a paranoid, carrying a mysterious bag around, and withdraw to his padlocked room every day. Helen is very concern about his odd behavior and the mysterious bag he carry around. She tries repeatedly to talk to him about this but he refuses to open up to her. Garry eventually try once more to seek help from his biological father but is rejected. The anger of his father abandoning the family and refusing to be responsive to his needs caused him to vandalize his father’s dentist office. McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto (2011) found that “researchers continue to suggest that what is considered to be “normal adolescent male behavior,” while not inherent, may include aggression, social withdrawal, and emotional inexpressiveness” (p. 66).

In addition, Helen is also dealing with Julie (her daughter) who is in her adolescence stage in which she is very emotional, sexual, and learning to relate to her intimate partner. McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto (2011) found that “this is a time of dramatic physical, psychological, and social change" (p. 377). Raising adolescents the family experiences on one hand the need to seek their identity in the world and on the other hand to have a strong need for stability in their home life. McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto (2011) found that “parents are routinely mystified by the mixed messages they get from their teenagers telling them to simultaneously “go away and also stay right here” (p. 377). Julie has decided, even though she has a high SAT score, she will not attend college. Instead she will develop a stronger romantic relationship with her lover Todd Higgins. Todd’s family is very dysfunctional; however, he’s finds comfort in being around Julie and her family. Therefore, after Helen continually complaints about Julie’s relationship with Todd they get married, she becomes pregnant and he becomes a member of the household. When Helen asked Todd to talk to Gary, Todd was able to reassure him that what he was experiencing was normal for a boy of his age. This act increases Helen respect of Todd and she eventually gave support to her daughter’s marriage. She was also able to reunite her family and begin dating again which culminated in her marrying Garry’s Biology teacher. This placed two positive male figures in Garry’s life.

Analysis of Family-Subsystem in Relation to the Larger Family system

Helen’s Buckman’s nuclear family is only a subsystem to the larger Buckman family structure which included three other siblings (Gil, Susan, & Larry) and their families. McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto (2011) stated that “despite the fact that in our era nuclear families often live on their own and at great distance from extended family members, they are still part of the larger multigenerational system, intertwined in their past, present, and anticipated future relationships” (p. 3). Frank Buckman who is the patriarch of the family is married to Marilyn Buckman. They have a traditional marriage where the husband’s responsibility is to be the breadwinner and the final authority in the decision making process. Whereas the wife’s responsibility is to be passive, take care of the children, and manage the household. Fatimah, Aziz, & Ibrahim (2008) stated that “the traditional family system is based on family members playing traditional roles, where the responsibilities involved are limited to only in rising up the family, such as husband and father as the breadwinner, wife and mother as the housewife who is feeding, taking care of children, running